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Staff Members

Colin Achilles is a Program Associate and Assistant to the Chief of Staff for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he works on various projects and initiatives, primarily focusing on the political process behind fiscal policy. Prior to joining the Committee, he worked for federal and state officeholders from Virginia, as well as a nonprofit organization specialized in tax and spending issues. Colin received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Flagler College, and his master’s degree in Political Management from The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management. He is originally from Flint Hill, Virginia. Contact him at achilles@crfb.org.

Chris Dreibelbis is the Director of Digital and Creative Media for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he oversees outreach for the Committee's work through social media. Prior to joining the Committee, he was the Communications and Economic Policy Director at the Reform Institute. Before that he worked at the Committee for Economic Development, where he was actively involved in their successful effort to achieve campaign finance reform and also worked on issues such as the federal budget and Social Security reform. He received his B.A. in public policy from Washington & Lee University and holds a master's in public policy from George Mason University. Contact him at dreibelbis@crfb.org.

Tyler Evilsizer is the Research Manager for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he handles a wide variety of issues, primarily focusing on tax, budget, and economic policy. Prior to joining the Committee, he performed research on tax and budget issues for the Senate Finance Committee under Chairman Max Baucus. Before that, he served as Lead Researcher for the National Institute on Money in State Politics, the only non-profit that compiles information on state-level campaign finance in all 50 states. Tyler received a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, and a master's degree in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Contact him at evilsizer@crfb.org and find him on Twitter at @TylerEvilsizer.

As Senior Advisor, Finance and Operations, Simone Frank is responsible for assisting the organization with its day-to-day business, legal, financial, human resources and administrative operations. Ms. Frank has over 25 years of financial management experience, including banking, investment banking, strategic planning and operating finance.

Prior to assisting the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Ms. Frank was the Vice President of Finance and Operations for the New America Foundation for 10 years. Ms. Frank also served as Chief Financial Officer for Best Doctors, Inc., as a Senior Director of Finance for Marriott International, and as Finance Director for various operating divisions of Tricon Global Restaurants and PepsiCo, Inc. In addition, Ms. Frank started her careeer in banking as an Associate in mergers and acquisitions for Manufacturers Hanover Trust and as an Assistant Vice President for Den Danske Bank.

Ms. Frank earned her bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Marc Goldwein is the Senior Vice President and Senior Policy Director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he guides and conducts research on a wide array of topics related to fiscal policy and the federal budget. He is frequently quoted in a number of major media outlets and works regularly with Members of Congress and their staffs on budget-related issues.

In 2010, Marc served as Associate Director of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (The Fiscal Commission), and in 2011 he was a senior budget analyst on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (The Super Committee). He has also conducted research for the Government Accountability Office, the World Bank, the Historian's Office at the Social Security Administration, and the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley. In addition to his work at the Committee, Marc teaches economics at the University of California DC and at Johns Hopkins University, where he was the 2013 recipient of Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2011, Marc was featured in the Forbes "30 Under 30" list for Law & Policy. Contact him at goldwein@crfb.org and find him on Twitter at @MarcGoldwein.

Rachael Heisler is the Senior Director of State Engagement for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where she manages our external affairs strategy, including partnerships, surrogate management, and state-based outreach. She served on the staff of U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) for six years in various capacities including fundraiser, political adviser, and as communications director. The Morning Call newspaper named her one of the top 10 most effective legislative and campaign staffers in Pennsylvania and Politics PA named her one of Pennsylvania's Rising Stars: 30 Under 30. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. Contact her at heisler@crfb.org.

Maya MacGuineas is the President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget as well as the head of the Campaign to Fix the Debt. Her areas of expertise include budget, tax, and economic policy. MacGuineas testifies regularly before Congress and has published broadly. Once dubbed “an anti-deficit warrior” by The Wall Street Journal, MacGuineas comments often on broadcast news and is widely cited by the national press. In the spring of 2009 MacGuineas did a stint on The Washington Post editorial board, covering economic and fiscal policy. MacGuineas has worked at the Brookings Institution and on Wall Street. As a political independent, she has advised numerous candidates for office from both parties, and works regularly with members of Congress on health, economic, tax, and budget policy. Contact her at info@crfb.org and find her on Twitter @MayaMacGuineas.

Rick May is a Legislative Consultant for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he assists in the Committee’s legislative operations, including the development of legislative strategy and relationships with congressional members and staff. He has more than 35 years of experience in public policy and legislative affairs.

Prior to joining the Committee, Rick was the Majority Staff Director of the House Budget Committee where he had the privilege of serving four committee chairmen during his eight year tenure. He has also served as a Legislative Assistant in the Ohio Senate, Legislative Director for former Ohio Congressman John Kasich, Federal Affairs Counsel at the National Conference of State Legislatures, Cabinet Secretary at the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, CEO of the New Mexico Finance Authority, and Executive Director of the Ohio Broadcast Educational Media Commission. Rick’s private sector positions have included being a Manager of Government Relations for Sandia National Laboratories and as a government relations professional for two government affairs firms.

Rick received both his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Earth Science and his master’s degree in Political Science from Ohio University. He is originally from Pickerington, Ohio. Contact him at may@crfb.org.

Zach Moller is a Senior Policy Analyst for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he researches economic, revenue, and budgetary issues. In addition, Zach contributes to the Committee's Better Budget Process Initiative and is a specialist in data, charts, and Senate procedure. Prior to joining the Committee, he worked on economic and revenue issues for the Senate Budget Committee under Chairs Patty Murray and Kent Conrad. Zach received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Virginia. Contact him at moller@crfb.org or follow him on twitter @EconWonk.

Mike Murphy is Chief of Staff and Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he manages policy research and analysis on a variety of topics related to fiscal policy and the federal budget, as well as coordinates a wide array of projects related to advancing the Committee’s policy related initiatives. Prior to joining the Committee, Mike worked for the Comeback America Initiative, a non-profit founded by David Walker, Former Comptroller General of the United States, whose mission is to educate and engage the public about federal, state and local fiscal issues. Previously, Mike also worked as a Senior Transportation Program Analyst for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, as well as in legislative affairs for the American Cancer Society and on Capitol Hill. Mike received his bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany, and a Masters of Public Administration and a Certificate of Health Services Management and Policy from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Contact him at murphy@crfb.org.

Patrick Newton is the Press Secretary for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he manages and coordinates outreach to the media. He came to the Committee from Capitol Hill, where he spent nine years on the staff of U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. of Tennessee, serving as both Communications Director and financial services Legislative Assistant. Prior to his time on the Hill, Patrick worked as a television news anchor and reporter for KEVN-TV, a FOX affiliate in Rapid City, South Dakota, and as morning and noon anchor at WTAP-TV, an NBC station serving the Mid-Ohio Valley. He is a 2001 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism. Contact him at newton@crfb.org.

Adam Rosenberg is a Policy Analyst for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he works on a wide variety of budget and economic issues conducting research and writing reports and for the Committee's The Bottom Line blog. He currently attends the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at The George Washington University and graduated in 2011 from The George Washington University with a B.A. in political science and minors in economics and jazz studies. Contact him at rosenberg@crfb.org.

Chris Rotella is the Director of Development for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he manages and coordinates all fundraising and donor activities. He came to the Committee from The George Washington University, where he spent ten years in a variety of roles covering both development and alumni relations. Most recently, he was Director of Development for the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM), where he helped oversee the largest campaign in the school’s history. He received his B.A. in political science in 2008 from The George Washington University, where he also received an MBA, with a finance focus, in 2012. Contact him at rotella@crfb.org.

Adam Shifriss is the Legislative Manager for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he guides interactions with policymakers and staff on a wide range of issues. Adam previously worked in the U.S. House of Representatives where he handled a broad variety of issues including Energy and Commerce and Appropriations Committee work. In 2007, he contributed to a Government Accountability Office review of public infrastructure reconstruction efforts by FEMA after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Adam also has experience in health advocacy, database management, and political campaigns. He studied Public Policy Analysis at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, where he received his bachelor's degree and the Hutton Honors notation. In addition to his work at the Committee, Adam is an active member of the board of the DC Chapter of the Indiana University Alumni Association. Contact him at shifriss@crfb.org.

Annie Shuppy is a Senior Policy Analyst for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where she researches economic, tax, budgetary, and health care issues. Annie previously covered Congress as a legislative analyst and staff writer for CQ Roll Call for more than nine years. While at CQ, Annie wrote primarily for the CQ House Action Reports legislative analysis service while also contributing to the company’s other publications. Prior to joining the Committee, she also worked for a financial news startup. Annie received a bachelor’s degree in economics and journalism from the University of Iowa, where she served as an editor at The Daily Iowan. Contact her at shuppy@crfb.org or follow her on Twitter at @ashuppy.

Chris Towner is a Policy Analyst for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he works on the policy team to conduct analysis on a wide variety of budgetary and economic issues including health care, Social Security, disability, and campaign policy proposals. Additionally, Chris worked extensively on the McCrery-Pomeroy SSDI Solutions Initiative. Prior to joining the Committee, Chris worked in fundraising and donor relations at a political non-profit organization. Chris holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree in Political Science from Boston University. Contact him at towner@crfb.org.

Lucy Wall is the Database Manager for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Previously she worked as a Consultant at the Consumer Data Industry Association, as a Passport Examiner at the British Embassy, and as a teacher in the DC Public Schools. Originally from Rhode Island, Lucy holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and a Master’s of Teaching from American University. Contact her at wall@crfb.org.